Modern Vespa

Seeing this thread keeps approaching 100 pages, maybe we need to split it off into graded categories like, "well, isn't this irksome?" and "I'm about ready to throw a brick through a window?" I mean, I sometimes talk myself out of posting because I'm not adequately pissed off, at least by my standards.

After 20 total years (18 and change active) in the .mil I'm angry enough without anything to post about

Retirement better be worth it cause all my hair's disappearing and fast

Maybe a thread with the title - I'm mildly annoyed by this.

Try to avoid giving the complainer some helpful advice when they are sharing their frustration as that seems to cutail the proceedings which gives the ventee the impression you don't care.

Try to look sympathetic as you nod while repeating - Yes I know.

Yes, I love my job.

Like I said, every job has ups & downs. Being "pissed off" at this one is really stretching the definition of "pissed off". Most of my complaints about my job are better described as "minor annoyances". But sometimes it's fun to vent.

Our upstairs AC just died.

Did I mention that we live in Arizona, the Sixth Circle of Hell?

Move to the UK.

Sorted.

Get in early before Spain and Portugal all move there to escape their heat.

Let's face it, the rest of Europe has moved here already.

I hate the cold.

Not a real big fan of the 110°F/43°C temps were currently having, either, but would rather deal with a few weeks of heat than months of cold.

The BMW's fuel gauge finally breaks away from its mounts.

Arse.

Amazon drivers in Lane 3 on the highway at 80 mph not overtaking anything. Na, just sitting there with on board cameras and a phone number asking How's my driving ?

Hilarious.

Note that UK's lane 3 (the right-most, 'fast' lane) would be US's lane 1 - the left-most lane in the US.

Why the different perspective on numbering - IDK.

Last edited by jimc on Wed, 23 Aug 2023 15:38:32 +0000; edited 1 time

Sitting on the edge of retirement here, feeling ambivalent. An article pops up about why to retire early (that ship has sailed anyway), thinking it would remove any doubts I have.....then scrolling down comes another article on why to work until you die....

On the plus side, I've managed to save enough to keep me reasonably comfortable, which apparently is better than the average high income earners at younger ages......

But I'm posting from the UK so it's Lane 3 that's why.

And I credit Americans with not needing an explanation.

I retired at 54 and not a day goes by that I have second thoughts about it.

Having the freedom to spend each day doing exactly what I want never gets boring.

My only advice is to make yourself busy each and every day . Don't wait for things to come to you and stay as sociable as you can.

It sounds like the numbering is the same:

Far left lane is Lane 1
Far right lane is Lane 3 (on a 3-lane road)

The UK system makes sense - the first lane you are in when entering the road is Lane 1.

Although I'm surprised they don't call it Lane 0, kinda like they do the Ground Floor of a building.

Heh. Of course, originally there would have been no floor - it was just ground inside. The first floor to be actually installed would be up the stairs - or probably the ladder.

Over there you are lucky enough to be able to overtake on both sides where as we are limited to overtaking on the right on the highway.

Often you'll get drivers "parking" themselves in Lane 2 at roughly 70 mph and at 80 mph in Lane 3 and they will stay there no matter if they are overtaking or not.

Even when you ride behind them and the lane to their left is clear they still won't pull in to let the queue of traffic behind them overtake.

Undertaking is frowned upon but pulling in front of the vehicle that you've just undertaken is illegal.

The aforementioned Amazon vehicles were all in Lane 3 at different times on the same stretch of highway but they weren't overtaking anything.

The Rules -

Lane 1: The normal driving lane for all vehicles. Unless you're overtaking another vehicle, this is the lane you should stay in. Lane 2, 3 and 4: All three of these lanes are for overtaking. When you're ready to overtake another vehicle, move into the lane to your right and then pull back into the one you were in.

It's astonishing how me, a guy who had never driven in the UK in my life, was able to successfully do so for 370 or so miles in a single day on one of the strangest yet best road trips I've done to date....yet the natives seem incapable of simple decency let alone obeying traffic laws.

Sorry for your frustrations Bill.


(I only tried to open the door once when going for a gear change, something of which i'm fairly proud )

Each time I visit the US it's just a matter of time before I reach for the passenger door rather than the driver's.

Oddly enough I find riding in the US incredibly easy and quite safe as there's usually a lot of room around you.

The 405 maybe not so much.

Bill Dog/Fledermaus,

Good on you guys for retiring. My blushing bride is seven years younger, so, I will not retire until she does. That is my cover story. In fact, I did to much spending all my life. Also, there are accurate generalizations. I have always been in sales or sales management. Made a butt load of money and spent it like a drunken sailor.

1. In my thirties, instead of salting money away, I bought a 30 foot Hunter Sailing Yacht. The boat payment was larger than my house payment. Loved that boat. Slip fees at the marina, storage maintenance. Dave, kept the sailboat just above you in Oshkosh WI at the Pioneer Inn.

2. Got married late - had kids late, and spent $400,000 to put them through college. I didn't want them to have loan debt. Paid for it cash.

3. Got promoted and transferred 5 times in 10 years. Made some good equity on those moves. but, ended up with a new 30 year mortgage each time.

So, I am definitely a member of "Over Buyers Anonymous" No complaints.
I really have no debt. I just have not been a good money manager. You
know, when your in sales you kind of become "I'll take two of those".

Hi ho hi ho it's off to work I go.

Bob Copeland

Starting our annual SW Wisconsin ride, already had a number of people pulling out for various reasons, but wasn't expecting the last one. Our friend Ken was going to ride several hours down from northern Wisconsin to join us. He hadn't arrived when the rest of us were heading out to dinner, so left a message for him to find us.

A few minutes later he called back. He'd gone off the road an hour or so from home, airlifted to a larger hospital and still being evaluated. No fractures but he's pretty beat up the way it sounds. I'm guessing his GTS is history. This isn't how things were supposed to go. Glad he's survived, but damn. Hope to find out more soon.

I had a close call this morning.

While riding the KLV out of the sub division at around 7.15 in the morning (in a rather spirited fashion) a guy decided to reverse out of a driveway without looking.

Now, I'm cranked over, underpower and cold tyes and he's not stopping because I'm guessing he hasn't been bothered to look.

I brake with the front as much as I dare but it's locked up already and the bike starts to fall to the left.

I shut the throttle, release the brake so the bike rights itself while missing the back of the Golf by about 3 ft. I didn't stop as I was too busy cursing while counting my blessings.

Not the best way to start the day.

My favorite model of crochet hook has been discontinued by the manufacturer due to the company they contract with to produce it has closed due to retirement.

Thy put all their remaining stock on closeout this morning at 10am CDT, and they were selling out as I was putting them in my shopping cart.

On the bright side, they have announced that, "...we have a treasure trove of 'imperfect' hooks that will also be available in the coming weeks. These hooks have minor scratches, blemishes, or other imperfections that will not affect their functionality. We'll keep you posted when you can snap up one of these unique pieces!"

I just have to hope that they don't sell out as quickly.

Effin COVID! It's really pissing me off today! First time having it and it's not fun. I have every symptom possible. Thought it was getting better but woke up with pink eye... They say this one is mild. I beg to differ. 101 fever, aches, sore throat, coughing, etc. It's been a week so far. Beware of this new strain, it's not to be taken lightly.

Bob

As long as you're able to avoid the ER/being hospitalized, it is mild.

Nooo, that just means it's not severe... This shit is not mild

Point taken.

I hope to never again experience the symptoms I had last year when I caught COVID.

Mild COVID is when it's happening to someone else.

Yeah, I had that in addition to normal COVID.
Gave it to my wife...

<Bill Dog Warning: It's about my job>

I received this email at work yesterday after I left for the day: The things that piss me off about it:
1) I am not a teacher, nor do I want to be. I don't mind training people, but they are usually adults who want to learn the skill, not children who are required to be there.
2) I don't like children.
3) I don't have a college degree at any level.
4) It seems to me to be an insult to actual teachers. "Oh, you can't make it in to work today? Don't worry, we'll get a guy from the print shop to come in and teach your class for you." It's like the boss telling the employee that anyone off the street can do their job.

Don't get me wrong, I'll do it because I want to keep my job, and it is only two times per school year. From what I understand, depending on grade level we're pretty much expected to just be babysitters & run the class like a study hall, which I'm ok with.

Bless you Mono.

Appointment time: 1050

Current time: 1220

"Have a set and someone will call you soon" this from the same medical team that gave me "what do you mean by burn pits I've never heard that term" 2 weeks after PACT was passed.

So you're being well taken care of then ?

Ex Military I'm guessing ?

Still in. 19ish months til retirement.

And counting every minute I am sure...

You are getting short but counting the days you are still a three digit midget!

I have met more than a few who didn't quite make it to retirement. The explanation I heard was I took it as long as I could and then I just had to go. Hang in there buddy. I understand they head messing gets worse as you get close.

Don't know if this is the VA, military medicine like Walter Reed, or a civilian place, but military health care in the NCR/DMV is way worse than when I was here in 2014-2015.

I waited 2 hours past my appt to see a civilian specialist neurosurgeon a year or so ago that maybe lasted 5-10 minutes once I saw him. I was close to leaving. They overbook and just make you wait.

I actually find the DC VA medical center to be better, but not like "the old days".

Now get off my lawn.

This better not be VA. I mean, "burn pits" has probably been in the dictionary for a dozen years, let alone medical literature.

Appreciate the reinforcement that i am NOT the arschloch for thinking its horrid.

This was at Walter Reed.

The ONLY saving grace is that it isnt the clinic on my actual base (which killed a friend of mine, but i'm not about to get my bp up telling that one again) and they have a hell of a whiskey selection at the NEX.

Sorry to say I am not surprised it is Walter Reed. I think the downward slope may have been started before DHA, after which it only sped up.

Yes, making lemonade with a visit to the NEX "class 6". Excellent choice. The MCX at Henderson Hall has a great class 6 and decent whiskey selection. I'll have to check out the NEX next time I am Walter Reed (probably be a while since it is my last choice these days). I was actually born there back when it was the Bethesda Naval Hospital.

Same, then they caught the Generals at ("old") Walter Reed siphoning money from mold and asbestos abatement and funneling it to their golf course, and that led to the BRAC that moved them to Bethesda.

Soon as the Army took over the place went to bent-biscuit city. Perpetual road construction from day 1. Hasn't stopped. Won't ever stop.